Ottumwa Courier
CINDY TOOPES Courier staff writer 

A few days later, Governor Chet Culver signed a bill making it illegal to discriminate in employment, public accommodation, credit, housing or education based on a person's sexual orientation or gender identity. His action made Iowa one of 18 states, plus the District of Columbia, to offer such protection.

In his research, Morris found that Ames, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Iowa City passed a sexual orientation ordinance in the early to mid-1990s. Morris contacted officials in those cities and asked what effect the ordinance has in light of the state passing an anti-discrimination law.